A pixel-based fixed width layout that shows just how crazy you can go repeatedly nesting the combined technique within itself.

Not only is this a layout that would be impossible to achieve with a table-based layout [note], but the source ordering is a joy compared to how you'd have to do it [note]

Of course, this version is somewhat overladen with hacks and additional markup. So, just to show how it could (nay, should and will) be, here's a slimmed down version that jettisons all the extraneous cruft. Of course, it only works in Safari... (and Firefox as of 1.5)

A scalable em-based layout which is unremarkable other than the fact that it raises yet more questions about Opera's positional abilities, and that it would be nigh on impossible to achieve with Faux Columns.

"Real world" examples

Unfortunately legal and intranet issues prevent me from showing you genuine working sites using these methods. Consequently I've brewed up a couple of quick makeovers that achieve much the same results as the orignals but using the now, all-too familar techniques.

And finally...

Footnotes

The makeovers aside, all these examples were made almost a year ago and have only been retrofitted to cope with Opera 8. Now that the positioning and overflow: hidden bugs have been fixed, the hacks to make Opera 8 and under behave themselves trip Opera 9 up. Fortunately, ways and means exist to make things ok again, but it's probably just as sensible to ignore older versions of Opera.

Don't understand why? Go back and read the 'Why' of Vertical Grids again.

Below is the table structure that would be required just to ape the barebones of the One True Layout version. Of course, to actually go the whole way and replicate the rounded corners and bottom alignment would be that bit more complicated. And remember, any time you want to reorganise the order of the layout, you have to shuffle it all up again. Still, if you do want to go down that route, here's a load of table-based experiments I did way back in the day. You never know, they may come in handy...